Downhole valve assembly and method of using same

ABSTRACT

Actuatable valve tool including a tubular housing forming an axial flowbore. A slidable flow tube disposed within the housing and a shear sleeve disposed around at least a portion of the slidable flow tube. One or more valves disposed within the housing, each having an open position and a closed position. In the open position the one or more valves permit fluid flow within the axial flowbore, and in the closed position the one or more valves block fluid flow therethrough. The slidable flow tube moveable within the housing to transition the one or more valves between the closed position and the open position.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to a downhole valve assemblyand method of using the same, and in particular, a downhole valveassembly to access wells under pressure.

BACKGROUND

Wells are often stimulated by hydraulic fracturing operations, duringwhich a servicing fluid or a perforating fluid is introduced into atleast a portion of a subterranean formation. The fluid can be at ahydraulic pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracturetherein, thereby increasing hydrocarbon production from the well.

A tubular work string can be used to communicate fluid to and from thesubterranean formation during a wellbore stimulation operation. During awellbore servicing operation, it can be desirable to fluidically isolatetwo or more sections of the work string, so as to close off fluidcommunication through the work string flowbore in at least onedirection. Closing off fluid communication through a work string canallow for the isolation of well pressure within the work string flowboreduring run-in and/or run-out of a work string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for preparation and delivery of a cementcomposition to a wellbore in accordance with aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of an example embodiment downhole valveassembly in a first position;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of an example embodiment a downhole valveassembly in a second position;

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of an example embodiment a downhole valveassembly in a third position;

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of an example embodiment a downhole valveassembly in a fourth position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of an example embodiment of a downholevalve assembly in a fifth position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an example embodimentdownhole valve assembly having a sheer sleeve in a first sheer position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an example embodimentdownhole valve assembly having a sheer sleeve in a second sheerposition;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an example embodimentdownhole valve assembly having a sheer sleeve in a third sheer position;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an example embodiment of a indexingsleeve of a downhole valve assembly; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of a particulatedispenser in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. Also, the description is not to be consideredas limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts havebeen exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of thepresent disclosure.

In the following description, terms such as “upper,” “upward,” “lower,”“downward,” “above,” “below,” “downhole,” “uphole,” “longitudinal,”“lateral,” and the like, as used herein, shall mean in relation to thebottom or furthest extent of the surrounding wellbore even though thewellbore or portions of it may be deviated or horizontal.Correspondingly, the transverse, axial, lateral, longitudinal, radial,etc., orientations shall mean orientations relative to the orientationof the wellbore or tool. Unless otherwise specified, any use of any formof the term “couple,” or any other term describing an interactionbetween elements is not meant to limit the interaction to directinteraction between the elements and also may include indirectinteraction between the elements described.

The term “inside” indicate that at least a portion of a region ispartially contained within a boundary formed by the object. The term“substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to theparticular dimension, shape or other word that substantially modifies,such that the component need not be exact. For example, substantiallycylindrical means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have oneor more deviations from a true cylinder.

The term “radially” means substantially in a direction along a radius ofthe object, or having a directional component in a direction along aradius of the object, even if the object is not exactly circular orcylindrical. The term “axially” means substantially along a direction ofthe axis of the object.

Disclosed herein is an actuatable valve tool which facilities accessingwells under pressure allowing or preventing inflow of wellbore fluidsinto a well pipe. The well pipe can be coil tubing, jointed pipe, or acombination thereof. The actuatable valve tool can include a tubularhousing forming an axial flowbore. A slidable flow tube can be disposedwithin the housing and have the axial flowbore therethrough. A shearsleeve can be disposed around at least a portion of the slidable flowtube. The shear sleeve can be disposed around the entire slidable flowtube, or can be a longitudinally extending shearable coupling, such as ashear rod. One or more valves can be disposed within the housing, eachhaving an open position and a closed position. In the open position theone or more valves permit fluid flow within the axial flowbore, and inthe closed position the one or more valves block fluid flowtherethrough. The slidable flow tube can be moveable within the housingto transition the one or more valves between the closed position andopen position.

The shear sleeve allows for separation of the slidable flow tube andretrieval of a portion of the actuatable valve tool along with the workstring in response to an emergency condition. For example, the tool maybecome stuck or other issue arise requiring removal of the string. Inthe emergency procedure, a ball having a cross section equal to orslightly larger than the axial flowbore is dropped into the wellpipe,which flows to position within the axial flowbore to restrict flowtherethrough. While the emergency procedure is described herein withreference to a ball, other shaped objects or darts capable of blockingthe axial flowbore, including but not limited to tear-drop shapes andelliptical shapes, can be used without altering the scope of thisdisclosure.

As the pressure builds on the ball, the slidable flow tube is shiftedand a shear process can occur. The shear sleeve can have two shearpoints. A first shear point allows separation of the slidable flow tubeinto the first portion and the second portion. A second shear pointcauses at least a portion of the shear sleeve to block one or more ventports within the tubular housing while allowing the second portion ofthe slidable flow tube to transition downhole of one or more valveswhile remaining within the actuatable valve tool. The actuatable valvetool can be removed from the wellbore, and the shear sleeve can bereplaced to recouple the slidable flow tube first portion and secondportion. The actuatable valve tool can be repaired and returned downholewithin the wellbore.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an environmental view of an operating system100 for an actuatable valve tool 102 is illustrated. The operatingsystem 100 can be a wellbore servicing system employing the actuatablevalve tool 102. The operating system 100 can include a wellbore 104 thatpenetrates into a subterranean formation 106 for the purpose ofrecovering hydrocarbons, storing hydrocarbons, disposing of carbondioxide, or the like. The wellbore 104 can be drilled into thesubterranean formation 106 using any suitable drilling technique knownin the art. A rig 108 can be can be disposed at the surface 110 andinclude a derrick 112 with a floor 114 through which a work string 116.The work string 116 can be a drill string, a tool string, a segmentedtubing string, a jointed tubing string, or any other suitableconveyance, or combinations thereof.

The wellbore 104 can extend substantially vertical away from thesurface, but can also deviate at any angle. The wellbore 104 can have avertical portion 118 along with a horizontal portion 120. The wellbore104 can have one or more vertical portions 118 and one or morehorizontal portions over the length of the wellbore 104. The wellbore104 can be lined with a casing 122 that is secured in position againstthe subterranean formation 106. The wellbore 104 can be partially cased,such as including the casing 122 only in a vertical portion 118,horizontal portion 120, or any combination thereof. At least a portionof the wellbore 104 can be uncased and employ one or more packers, suchas mechanical and/or swellable packers, to isolate two or more adjacentportions of the wellbore 104.

It should be noted that while FIG. 1 generally depicts a land-basedoperation, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that theprinciples described herein are equally applicable to subsea operationsthat employ floating or sea-based platforms and rigs, without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure.

As can be appreciated in FIG. 1, the operating system 100 includes thework string 116 having actuatable valve tool 102 disposed within thewellbore 104. The work string 116 also includes a wellbore servicingtool 124 downhole from the actuatable valve tool 102. The wellboreservicing tool 124 can be proximate and/or substantially adjacent to oneor more zones of the subterranean formation 106. The wellbore servicingtool 124 can be a hydrajetting tool for creating fractures in thesubterranean formation 106. The operating system 100 also has an annulus126 formed between the outer wall of the actuatable valve tool 102 andthe inner well of the casing 122.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section view of an example embodiment of anactuatable valve tool 102 in a first position. The actuatable valve tool102 includes a tubular housing 128 having an axial flowbore 130. Thetubular housing 128 has a slidable flow tube 132 disposed therein. Theslidable flow tube 132 is moveable within the tubular housing 128between a plurality of positions. The slidable flow tube 132 extends atleast a portion of the length of the tubular housing 128 and has agenerally cylindrical shape with a slightly smaller cross section to bereceived within the tubular housing 128. The slidable flow tube 132 caninclude a carbide material insert 137 and proximate the uphole end toprotect from operating environmental conditions, such as high velocityand turbulent flow due to the reduced flow area in the axial flowbore.

The axial flowbore 130 extends through the slidable flow tube 132. Theactuatable valve tool 102 has one or more O-rings 133 disposed betweenthe outer surface of the slidable flow tube 132 and the inner surface ofthe tubular housing 128 to seal the axial flowbore. As can beappreciated in FIG. 2, the actuatable valve tool 102 has four O-rings133, two disposed at an upper portion of the slidable flow tube 132 andtwo disposed at a lower portion of the slidable flow tube 132.

The tubular housing 128 has a biasing element 134 coupled with theslidable flow tube 132 to resist and/or assist movement of the slidableflow tube 132 within the tubular housing 128. The biasing element 134can be a spring disposed around the slidable flow tube 132 and withinthe tubular housing 128. The O-rings 133 prevent fluid or particulatefrom entering the annulus 135 between the tubular housing 128 and theslidable flow tube 132 where the biasing element resides. In someinstances, the biasing element has a compression strength ofapproximately 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi). In other instances,the biasing element 134 has a compression strength between 200 psi and5,000 psi.

The actuatable valve tool 102 has one or more valves 136 within thetubular housing 128. The one or more valves 136 each have an openposition and a closed position. The open position permits fluid flowwithin the axial flowbore 130 in the downhole direction. The closedposition blocking fluid flow within the axial flowbore 130 in the uphole(reverse) direction. Each valve 136 has a flapper 138 to block the axialflowbore 130 and reverse fluid flow therethrough. The flapper 138 iscoupled at an outer edge of the valve 136 and is positioned to pivotdownhole. In other embodiments, each valve 136 can have more than oneflapper 138, such as a two flappers each covering substantially half thevalve 136. The flapper 138 can be biased by a spring or other biasingelement to a closed position covering the one or more valves 136.

Although the actuatable valve tool 102 is illustrated as having twovalves 136, one or more valves 136 can be implemented within theactuatable valve tool 102, such as one valve, three valves, four valves,or any other number of valves. Increasing the quantity of valvesgenerally increases the length of the work string.

The tubular housing 128 also has one or more ports 139 therethroughcoupling the exterior of the tubular housing with the annulus 135. Theone or more ports 139 allow the expulsion, or intake, of air or fluidfrom the annulus 135 of the tubular housing 128 as the slidable flowtube 132 transitions between positions. The fluid communication providedby the one or more ports 139 assist in the transition of the slidableflow tube 132 between positions.

The actuatable valve tool 102 is transitionable between a plurality ofpositions by the application, or removal, of a pressure differentialbetween the axial flowbore 130 and the annulus 126 formed between thetubular housing 128 and the wellbore casing 122 (shown in FIG. 1). Thetransition between positions is guided by an indexing sleeve 140. Insome instances, the indexing sleeve 140 can be a J-slot as describedbelow with respect to FIG. 13. The actuatable valve tool 102 isillustrated in a first position in FIG. 2. In the first position, theslidable flow tube 132 is positioned uphole from the one or more valves136 and the biasing element 134 is substantially uncompressed. The oneor more valves 136 are in the closed position. In some instances of thefirst position, the one or more valves 136 of the actuatable valve tool102 can be in the open position when a flow in a first direction throughthe axial flowbore 130 is present, and the pressure differential betweenthe annulus 135 of tubular housing 128 and the slidable flow tube 132 isless than the compression strength of the biasing element 134.

FIG. 3 illustrates an actuatable valve tool 102 in a second position.The slidable flow tube 132 is transitioned to a second position by anapplication of a pressure differential. The pressure differential can begenerated by a flow of fluid, or gas, downhole through the axialflowbore 130 causing the slidable flow tube 132 to transition downholewithin the actuatable valve tool 102 compressing the biasing element134. The second position may be a fully extended position, in which caseit can be referred to as a “fully stroked” or “fully indexed” position.In transitioning to this position, the slidable flow tube 132 movesdownhole within the tubular housing 128 and extends through the one ormore valves 136. The one or more valves 136 are in the open positionwith at least a portion of the slidable flow tube 132 extendingtherethrough. The slidable flow tube 132 extending through the one ormore valves 136 protects the valves from fluid flow pumped downhole andthrough the actuatable valve tool 102. In some instances, an abrasive,such as sand, is pumped through the actuatable valve tool 102 that candamage the one or more valves 136. The second position provides theslidable flow tube 132 extending beyond the one or more valves 136thereby protecting the one or more valves 136 from any material passingthrough the axial flowbore 130. The actuatable valve tool 102 remains inthe second position until release of the pressure differential, uponwhich causes the biasing element 134 to transition the actuatable valvetool 102 to a third position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102in a third position. The actuatable valve tool 102 is transitioned fromthe second position (shown in FIG. 3) to the third position by releasingof the pressure differential. The pressure differential can be releasedby stopping or decreasing the downhole flow of fluid, or gas, throughthe axial flowbore 130. The actuatable valve tool 102 is secured in thethird position by the indexing sleeve 140, such that the slidable flowtube 132 permits reverse fluid flow. As the actuatable valve tool 102transitions from the second position to the third position, the slidableflow tube 132 travels uphole relative to the tubular housing 128, thoughstill extends beyond the one or more valves 136.

In the third position, the actuatable valve tool 102 permits flow withinthe axial flowbore 130 downhole (a first direction) and uphole (a seconddirection). Flow in the second direction can be referred to as “reverseflow”. Flow in the second direction can occur at any flow rate orpressure differential within the build parameters of the actuatablevalve tool 102. Flow in the first direction can be limited to below thepressure differential required to actuate the biasing element 134. Flowin the first direction creating a pressure differential exceeding thepressure differential required to actuate the biasing element 134compresses the biasing element 134 and transitions the actuatable valvetool 102 to a fourth position.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102in a fourth position. The fourth position can be substantially similarto the second position (e.g. fully stroked), such that the slidable flowtube 132 transitions downhole relative to the third position. Theactuatable valve tool 102 remains in the fourth position until releaseof the pressure differential, upon which the biasing element 134 canassist in transitioning the actuatable valve tool to a fifth position.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102in a fifth position. The fifth position can be substantially similar tothe first position. The slidable flow tube 132 moves uphole relative tothe fourth position. In the fifth position, the slidable flow tube 132does not extend through the one or more valves 136, and flow in theaxial flowbore 130 is permitted only in a first direction. The one ormore valves 136 are not protected by the slidable flow tube 132 in thefifth position, and flow within the axial flowbore 130 that exceeds thepressure differential will return the actuatable valve tool 102 to thesecond position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102during an emergency removal procedure. The actuatable valve tool 102includes a shear sleeve 142 disposed around at least a portion of theslidable flow tube 132. During an emergency removal procedure, alsoknown as a “trip out”, a ball 158 having a cross section substantiallysimilar to the slidable flow tube 132 is placed within the axialflowbore 130 of the actuatable valve tool 102. The ball 158 lodgeswithin the slidable flow tube 132 and blocks flow therethrough allowinga downhole flow through the axial flowbore 130 to increase pressurewithin the actuatable valve tool 102.

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged view of section A-A of the exampleembodiment of the actuatable valve tool of FIG. 7. The shear sleeve 142couples a first flow tube portion 144 and a second flow tube portion 146of the slidable flow tube 132. The shear sleeve 142 has three portions,an uphole portion 148, a middle portion 150, a downhole portion 152. Theuphole portion 148 is coupled to the middle portion 150 at first shearsection 154. The first shear section 154 can be a thinned portion of theshear sleeve 142 designed to separate at a first predetermined pressure.The downhole portion 152 is coupled to the middle portion 150 at asecond shear section 156. The second shear section 156 can be a thinnedportion of the shear sleeve 142 designed to separate at a secondpredetermined pressure. The first and second predetermined pressuresexert a downhole (longitudinal) force on the shear sleeve 142 couplingthe first flow tube portion 144 and second flow tube portion 146. Thedownhole force caused by the predetermined pressures can exceed thematerial strength of the first and second shear sections 154, 156. Thethickness and material of the first and second shear sections 154, 156can be adjusted to achieve a specific first and second predeterminedpressure. The first predetermined pressure can be approximately3000-4500 psi and is lower than the second predetermined pressure whichcan be approximately 5000-7000 psi. The first and second predeterminedpressures can vary depending on desired application and use, and can bemore or less than the above stated ranges. The first and second shearsections 154, 156 can be different materials from the shear sleeve 142having lower shear strengths.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102during an emergency removal procedure having the first flow tube portion144 separated from the second flow tube portion 146 of slidable flowtube 132. The first shear section 154 of the shear sleeve 142 shears atthe first specific pressure separating the first flow tube portion 144from the second flow tube portion 146 of the slidable flow tube 132. Thesecond flow tube portion 146 of the slidable flow tube 132 extendsdownhole through the one or more valves 136, thus transitioning the oneor more valves 136 to the open position.

FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged view of section B-B of an exampleembodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102. At the first predeterminedpressure, the first shear section 154 shears thereby separating thefirst flow tube portion 144 and second flow tube portion 146 of theslidable flow tube 132. The first flow tube portion 144 remains upholerelative to the second flow tube portion 146 and is biased uphole by thebiasing element 134. The pressure imposed on the lodged ball 158 shiftsthe second flow tube portion 146 and the downhole portion 152 of theshear sleeve 142 downhole until the middle portion 150 abuts aprotrusion 160 extending from the inner surface of the tubular housing128.

The protrusion 160 is positioned along the length of the tubular housing128 to engage and abut the middle portion 150 of the shear sleeve 142such that the middle portion 150 covers the one or more ports 139 in thetubular housing 128. The protrusion 160 restricts movement of the shearsleeve 142 downhole causing pressure within the second flow tube portion146 of the slidable flow tube 132 to increase. The middle portion 150 atthe first shear section 154 further engages a locking mechanism 161 toprevent uphole motion of the shear sleeve 142 and second portion of theslidable flow tube 132. The locking mechanism 161 can be plurality ofinwardly extending fingers 163 allowing the shear sleeve 142 to passthrough and move downhole, but prevent uphole hole motion by abuttingthe middle portion 150.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of an actuatable valve tool102 during an emergency removal procedure having the second shearsection 156 sheared from the middle portion 150. The first flow tubeportion 144 of the slidable flow tube 132 is moved uphole by the biasingelement 134 and the second flow tube portion 146 of the slidable flowtube 132 is moved downhole of the one or more valves 136. The tubularhousing 128 has a length sufficient to house the second flow tubeportion 146 downhole of the one or more valves 136, while providingsufficient room for the flapper 138 to operate and transition the valvesfrom the open position to the closed position.

FIG. 12 illustrates an enlarged view of section C-C of an exampleembodiment of an actuatable valve tool 102. As can be appreciated inFIG. 12, upon shearing of the second shear section 156, the middleportion 150 remains covering the one or more ports 139 and the one ormore valves 136 are in the closed position. The second flow tube portion146 remains within the tubular housing 128 and downhole of the one ormore valves 136. The emergency removal procedure is completed uponshearing of the second shear section 156 and the actuatable tool valve102 (shown in FIG. 11) can be removed or POOH (pulled-out-of-hole) fromthe wellbore 104. A plurality of vents 165 can be provided downhole ofthe one or more valves 136 allowing communication between the tubularhousing 128 and the annulus 126 of the tubular housing 128. Theplurality of vents 165 can confirm separating of the second shearsection 156 to a surface operation/operator by indicating a drop intubing pressure. Upon separation of the second shear section 156, thetubing pressure will be vented into the annulus 126 indicating theoperation is complete and the tool is ready to POOH.

The actuatable valve tool 102 is repairable such that a new shear sleevecan be inserted into the tubular housing 128 recoupling the first flowtube portion 144 and the second flow tube portion 146, thus allowingreinsertion (run-in-hole) into the wellbore 104.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of an indexing sleeve 140. Theindexing sleeve 140 is a J-slot type sleeve. The indexing sleeve 140 canbe coupled with the slidable flow tube 132 and have one or more grooves162 formed on the outer surface to transition the actuatable valve tool102 (shown in FIGS. 2-6) between the first position, second position,third position, fourth position, and fifth position. The tubular housing128 can engage the grooves 162 of the indexing sleeve 140 therebycausing slidable flow tube 132 to transition between the variouspositions. As the slidable flow tube 132 (shown in FIGS. 2-6) movesbetween positions within the tubular housing 128, the grooves 162 formedin indexing sleeve 140 cause slidable flow tube 132 to rotate. Theindexing sleeve 140 allows the slidable flow tube 132 to fixed in thethird position such that the actuatable valve tool 102 allows flow inthe first direction and the second direction.

Referring to FIG. 14, a flowchart is presented in accordance with anexample embodiment. The example method 1400 is provided by way ofexample, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method 1400.The method 1400 described below can be carried out using theconfigurations illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, for example, and variouselements of these figures are referenced in explaining example method1400. Each block shown in FIG. 14 represents one or more processes,methods or subroutines, carried out in the example method 1400.Furthermore, the illustrated order of blocks is illustrative only andthe order of the blocks can change according to the present disclosure.Additional blocks may be added or fewer blocks may be utilized, withoutdeparting from this disclosure. The example method 900 can begin atblock 1402.

At block 1402, an actuatable valve tool 102 is provided in a firstposition and has a tubular housing 128, a slidable flow tube 132, andone or more valves 136. The actuatable valve tool 102 can transitionbetween various positions with the slidable flow tube 132 moving withinthe tubular housing 128.

At block 1404, a pressure differential is generated transitioning theactuatable valve tool 102 from the first position to a second position.In the second position, the slidable flow tube 132 slides downholeextending through the one or more valves 136. The pressure differentialis the hydrostatic pressure compared with the well pressure and must besufficient to compress a biasing element 134. The pressure differentialis caused by a flow through the actuatable valve tool 102 in a firstdirection. In the second position, flow through the actuatable valvetool 102 is only permitted in the first direction.

At block 1406, the pressure differential is released, therebytransitioning the actuatable valve tool 102 from the second position toa third position. The third position allows flow through the actuatablevalve tool 102 in the first direction and a second directionsubstantially opposite the first direction. The second direction can bereferred to as “reverse flow”. In the third position, the slidable flowtube 132 extends beyond the one or more valves 136, but is upholerelative to the second position.

At block 1408, a pressure differential is generated transitioning theactuatable valve tool 102 from the third position to a fourth position.The fourth position is substantially similar to the second position. Theslidable flow tube 132 extends further downhole relative to the thirdposition and beyond the one or more valves 136. Flow is permitted onlyin the first direction.

At block 1410, the pressure differential is released transitioning theactuatable valve tool 102 to a fifth position. The fifth position issubstantially similar to the first position. The slidable flow tube isuphole relative to the fourth position and does not extend through theone or more valves 136. Flow is permitted in the first direction so longas the generated pressure does not exceed the pressure differential, ifthe pressure differential is reached the actuatable valve tool 102returns to the second position.

At block 1412, a ball 158 is disposed within the axial flowbore 130 ofthe actuatable valve tool 102. The ball 158 blocks flow therethroughincreasing pressure within the axial flowbore 130.

At block 1414, a pressure is generated by flow through the axialflowbore 130 and impeded by the ball 158. A shear sleeve 142 disposed atleast a portion of the slidable flow tube 132 shears at a first shearsection 154 causing the slidable flow tube 132 to become a two pieces afirst flow tube portion 144 and a second flow tube portion 146. Thefirst flow tube portion 144 is moved uphole by the biasing element 134,and the second flow tube portion 146 is moved downhole by the generatedpressure.

At block 1416, a second shear section 156 shears by the increasedpressure generated. A middle portion 150 of the shear sleeve 142 remainscovering one or more ports 139, and the second flow tube portion 146 ofthe slidable flow tube 132 transitions within the actuatable valve tool102 downhole past the one or more valves 136.

At block 1418, the flow is stopped causing the one or more valves 136transition to the closed position. The second flow tube portion 146 ofthe slidable flow tube 132 is downhole of the closed one or more valves136, and the first flow tube portion 144 is uphole of the closed one ormove valves 136. The actuatable valve tool 102 can then be removed fromthe wellbore 104.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even thoughnumerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology havebeen set forth in the foregoing description, together with details ofthe structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including inmatters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within theprinciples of the present disclosure up to, and including, the fullextent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in theclaims.

Statements of the Disclosure Include:

Statement 1: An actuatable valve tool comprising a tubular housinghaving an axial flowbore, a slidable flow tube disposed within thehousing and having the axial flowbore therethrough, a shear sleevedisposed around at least a portion of the slidable flow tube, and one ormore valves disposed within the housing, each having an open positionand a closed position, wherein in in the open position the one or morevalves permit fluid flow within the axial flowbore, and in the closedposition the one or more valves block fluid flow therethrough, andwherein the slidable flow tube is moveable within the housing totransition the one or more valves between the closed position and theopen position.

Statement 2: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 1, wherein theslidable flow tube is moveable from a first position to a secondposition by a pressure differential, in the first position the one ormore valves are in the closed position and in the second position theone or more valves are in the open position, thereby allowing fluid flowin a first direction.

Statement 3: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 2, wherein thepressure differential is formed between the axial flowbore and anannulus between the tubular housing and the slidable flow tube.

Statement 4: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 2, wherein theslidable flow tube is moveable to a third position, the third positionhaving the slidable flow tube fixed relative to housing with one morevalves in the open position such that the flowbore allows fluid flow inthe first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction.

Statement 5: The actuatable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 2-4, wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable from thefirst position to the second position by application of a pressuredifferential and the slidable flow tube is movable to the third positionby releasing of the pressure differential.

Statement 6: The actuatable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 4-5, wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable to a fourthposition by the application of a pressure differential, and upon releaseof the pressure differential the slidable flow tube returns to the firstposition.

Statement 7: The actuatable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 1-6, wherein an indexing sleeve is coupled with the slidableflow tube and configured to allow the slidable flow tube to move betweena first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourthposition.

Statement 8: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 7, wherein theindexing sleeve is a J-slot.

Statement 9: The actuatable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 1-8, wherein the slidable flow tube includes a first flowtube portion and a second flow tube portion coupled together by theshear sleeve, the sections separable when the shear sleeve is sheared.

Statement 10: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 9, wherein theshear sleeve has two shear sections, a first shear section adjacent thefirst flow tube portion of the slidable flow tube, and a second shearsection adjacent the second flow tube portion of the slidable flow tube.

Statement 11: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 10, wherein thefirst shear section is configured to shear at a first pressuredifferential and the second shear section is configured to shear at asecond pressure differential, the second pressure differential higherthan the first pressure differential.

Statement 12: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 10, wherein theshear sleeve has a middle portion disposed between the first shearsection and the second shear section.

Statement 13: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 12, wherein thetubular housing has a plurality of ports and the middle portion coversthe plurality of ports upon shearing of the first shear section.

Statement 14: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 11, whereinshearing of the first shear section decouples the first flow tubeportion of the slidable flow tube and the second flow tube portion ofthe slidable flow tube.

Statement 15: A wellbore servicing system comprising a work string, andan actuatable valve tool comprising a tubular housing having an axialflowbore, a slidable flow tube disposed within the housing, a shearsleeve disposed around at least a portion of the slidable flow tube, oneor more valves disposed within the housing, each having an open positionand a closed position, wherein in in the open position the one or morevalves permit fluid flow within the axial flowbore, and in the closedposition the one or more valves block fluid flow therethrough, whereinthe slidable flow tube is moveable within the housing to transition theone or more valves between the closed position and the open position.

Statement 16: The wellbore servicing system of Statement 15, wherein theslidable flow tube is moveable from a first position to a secondposition by a pressure differential, in the first position the one ormore valves are in the closed position and in the second position theone or more valves are in the open position, thereby allowing fluid flowin a first direction.

Statement 17: The wellbore servicing system of any one of the precedingStatements 15-16, wherein the slidable flow tube includes a first flowtube portion and a second flow tube portion coupled together by theshear sleeve, the sections separable when the shear sleeve is sheared.

Statement 18: The wellbore servicing system of Statement 17, wherein theshear sleeve has two shear sections, a first shear section adjacent thefirst flow tube portion of the slidable flow tube, and a second shearsection adjacent the second flow tube portion of the slidable flow tube.

Statement 19: The wellbore servicing system of Statement 18, wherein thefirst shear section is configured to shear at a first pressuredifferential and the second shear section is configured to shear at asecond pressure differential, the second pressure differential higherthan the first pressure differential.

Statement 20: The wellbore servicing system of any one of precedingStatements 17-19, wherein the tubular housing has a plurality of portsand the middle portion covers the plurality of ports upon shearing ofthe first shear section and the shear sleeve has a middle portiondisposed between the first shear section and the second shear sectionconfigured to cover the plurality of vents.

Statement 21: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 1, wherein at leasta portion of the slidable flow tube comprises a carbide material insert.

Statement 22: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 9, wherein thefirst portion further comprises a slidable the carbide metal insert.

Statement 23: The actuatable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 10-11, wherein a locking mechanism is provided to lock theshear sleeve in place once the first shear section has separated.

Statement 24: The actutable valve tool of any one of the precedingStatements 1-14, wherein a plurality of vents are provided tocommunicate between the tubular housing and the annulus of the tubularhousing downhole of the one or more valves.

Statement 25: The actuatable valve tool of Statement 24, wherein theplurality of vents reduce tubing pressure upon separation of the secondshear section.

Statement 26: A method of wellbore servicing comprising generating apressure differential within an actuatable valve tool having a tubularhousing having one or more valves and a slidable flow tube capable oftransitioning from a first position to a second position upon theapplication of a pressure differential; transitioning the actuatablevalve tool to a third position up release of the pressure differential;transitioning the actuatable valve tool to a fourth position uponapplication of the pressure differential; and transitioning to a fifthposition upon release of the pressure differential; wherein theactuatable valve tool has an indexing sleeve to transition the slidableflow tube between positions.

Statement 27: The method of wellbore servicing of Statement 26, furthercomprising dropping a ball within an axial flowbore of the actuatablevalve tool to impede flow through the axial flowbore.

Statement 28: The method of wellbore servicing of Statement 27, furthercomprising generating a flow into the axial flowbore and impeded by theball, thereby increasing pressure and shearing a first shear section ofa shear sleeve disposed around the slidable flow tube.

Statement 29: The method of wellbore servicing of Statement 28, furthercomprising increasing the pressure within the axial flowbore therebyshearing a second shear section of the shear sleeve.

Statement 30: The method of wellbore servicing of Statement 29, furthercomprising stopping the flow into the axial flowbore allowing the one ormore valves to close and returning the actuatable valve tool to surface.

Statement 31: A method comprising disposing an actuatable valve toolwithin a wellbore, the actuatable valve tool having a tubular housinghaving an axial flowbore and one or more valves. The one or more valvestransitionable between an open position and a closed position, the openposition permitting fluid flow through the axial flowbore, and theclosed position blocking flow through the axial flow bore. A slidableflow tube disposed within the housing and slidable between a firstposition and second position to transition the one or more valvesbetween the open position and closed positions. The slidable flow tubehaving a first flow tube portion and a second flow tube portion, and ashear sleeve disposed about the slidable flow tube and joining the firstflow tube portion and a second flow tube portion. Shearing the shearsleeve disposed about the slidable flow tube and separating the firstportion and the second portion of the slidable flow tube.

Statement 32: The method of Statement 32 further comprising dropping aball within the axial flowbore of the actuatable valve tool to impedeflow through the axial flowbore, thereby increasing pressure andshearing the shear sleeve.

Statement 33: The method of any of the preceding Statements 31-32,wherein the shearing occurs in response to generating a first pressuredifferential in the actuatable valve tool.

Statement 34: The method of Statement 33, further comprising generatinga second pressure differential higher than the first pressuredifferential within the actuatable valve tool thereby shearing a secondshear section of the shear sleeve.

Statement 35: The method of any of the proceeding Statements 31-34,wherein the tubular housing has one or more ports to the exterior of thetubular housing, and upon shearing the second section of the shearsleeve, a middle portion of the shear sleeve blocks the one or moreports.

1. An actuatable valve tool comprising: a tubular housing having anaxial flowbore; a slidable flow tube disposed within the housing andhaving the axial flowbore therethrough; a shear sleeve disposed aroundat least a portion of the slidable flow tube; one or more valvesdisposed within the housing, each having an open position and a closedposition; wherein in the open position the one or more valves permitfluid flow within the axial flowbore, and in the closed position the oneor more valves block fluid flow therethrough; wherein the slidable flowtube is moveable within the housing to transition the one or more valvesbetween the closed position and the open position.
 2. The actuatablevalve tool of claim 1, wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable from afirst position to a second position by a pressure differential, in thefirst position the one or more valves are in the closed position and inthe second position the one or more valves are in the open position,thereby allowing fluid flow in a first direction.
 3. The actuatablevalve tool of claim 2, wherein the pressure differential is formedbetween the axial flowbore and an annulus between the tubular housingand the slidable flow tube.
 4. The actuatable valve tool of claim 2,wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable to a third position, thethird position having the slidable flow tube fixed relative to housingwith one more valves in the open position such that the flowbore allowsfluid flow in the first direction and a second direction opposite thefirst direction.
 5. The actuatable valve tool of claim 4, wherein theslidable flow tube is moveable from the first position to the secondposition by application of a pressure differential and the slidable flowtube is movable to the third position by releasing of the pressuredifferential.
 6. The actuatable valve tool of claim 5, wherein theslidable flow tube is moveable to a fourth position by the applicationof a pressure differential, and upon release of the pressuredifferential the slidable flow tube returns to the first position. 7.The actuatable valve tool of claim 1, wherein an indexing sleeve iscoupled with the slidable flow tube and configured to allow the slidableflow tube to move between a first position, a second position, a thirdposition, and a fourth position.
 8. The actuatable valve tool of claim7, wherein the indexing sleeve is a J-slot.
 9. The actuatable valve toolof claim 1, wherein the slidable flow tube includes a first flow tubeportion and a second flow tube portion coupled together by the shearsleeve, the portions separable when the shear sleeve is sheared.
 10. Theactuatable valve tool of claim 9, wherein the shear sleeve has two shearsections, a first shear section adjacent the first flow tube portion ofthe slidable flow tube, and a second shear section adjacent the secondflow tube portion of the slidable flow tube.
 11. The actuatable valvetool of claim 10, wherein the first shear section is configured to shearat a first pressure differential and the second shear section isconfigured to shear at a second pressure differential, the secondpressure differential higher than the first pressure differential. 12.The actuatable valve tool of claim 10, wherein the shear sleeve has amiddle portion disposed between the first shear section and the secondshear section.
 13. The actuatable valve tool of claim 12, wherein thetubular housing has a plurality of ports and the middle portion coversthe plurality of ports upon shearing of the first shear section.
 14. Theactuatable valve tool of claim 11, wherein shearing of the first shearsection decouples the first flow tube portion of the slidable flow tubeand the second flow tube portion of the slidable flow tube.
 15. Awellbore servicing system comprising: a work string coupled with anactuatable valve tool; and the actuatable valve tool comprising: atubular housing having an axial flowbore; a slidable flow tube disposedwithin the housing; a shear sleeve disposed around at least a portion ofthe slidable flow tube; one or more valves disposed within the housing,each having an open position and a closed position; wherein in the openposition the one or more valves permit fluid flow within the axialflowbore, and in the closed position the one or more valves block fluidflow therethrough; wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable within thehousing to transition the one or more valves between the closed positionand the open position.
 16. The wellbore servicing system of claim 15,wherein the slidable flow tube is moveable from a first position to asecond position by a pressure differential, in the first position theone or more valves are in the closed position and in the second positionthe one or more valves are in the open position, thereby allowing fluidflow in a first direction.
 17. The wellbore servicing system of claim15, wherein the slidable flow tube includes a first flow tube portionand a second flow tube portion coupled together by the shear sleeve, thesections separable when the shear sleeve is sheared.
 18. The wellboreservicing system of claim 17, wherein the shear sleeve has two shearsections, a first shear section adjacent the first flow tube portion ofthe slidable flow tube, and a second shear section adjacent the secondflow tube portion of the slidable flow tube.
 19. The wellbore servicingsystem of claim 18, wherein the first shear section is configured toshear at a first pressure differential and the second shear section isconfigured to shear at a second pressure differential, the secondpressure differential higher than the first pressure differential. 20.The wellbore servicing system of claim 17, wherein the tubular housinghas a plurality of ports and the middle portion covers the plurality ofports upon shearing of the first shear section and the shear sleeve hasa middle portion disposed between the first shear section and the secondshear section configured to cover the plurality of vents.
 21. A methodcomprising: disposing an actuatable valve tool within a wellbore, theactuatable valve tool having a tubular housing having an axial flowboreand one or more valves, the one or more valves transitionable between anopen position and a closed position, the open position permitting fluidflow through the axial flowbore, and the closed position blocking flowthrough the axial flow bore, a slidable flow tube disposed within thehousing and slidable between a first position and second position totransition the one or more valves between the open position and closedpositions, the slidable flow tube having a first flow tube portion and asecond flow tube portion, and a shear sleeve disposed about the slidableflow tube and joining the first flow tube portion and a second flow tubeportion; and shearing the shear sleeve disposed about the slidable flowtube and separating the first portion and the second portion of theslidable flow tube.
 22. The method of claim 21 further comprisingdropping a ball within the axial flowbore of the actuatable valve toolto impede flow through the axial flowbore, thereby increasing pressureand shearing the shear sleeve.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein theshearing occurs in response to generating a first pressure differentialin the actuatable valve tool.
 24. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising generating a second pressure differential higher than thefirst pressure differential within the actuatable valve tool therebyshearing a second shear section of the shear sleeve.
 25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein the tubular housing has one or more ports to theexterior of the tubular housing, and upon shearing the second section ofthe shear sleeve, a middle portion of the shear sleeve blocks the one ormore ports.